Def Leppard's Vivian Campbell appreciates support

3 years ago

Def Leppard guitarist Vivian Campbell is expressing his gratitude for the response to his cancer announcement. The rocker says in a new Facebook post he's "very, very touched" by the outpouring of support, and adds that he has "no intention" of letting the disease slow him down.

He adds that in addition to hitting the road with Def Leppard later this month, he remains committed to the upcoming Last In Line shows. Campbell spearheaded the reunion of surviving Dio members, who are planning to play a series of dates in August under the name Last In Line.

The group, featuring Campbell with drummer Vinny Appice, bassist Jimmy Bain, and keyboardist Claude Schnell with singer Andy Freeman, announced four UK shows last month, starting with a concert in Belfast, Northern Ireland on August 8th. Def Leppard's tour begins with an appearance at the HellFest in Clisson, France on June 21st, and wraps up with a show in Canandaigua, New York on July 17th.

Campbell announced earlier this week that he's been diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma, and that he recently began a six-month course of chemotherapy in his battle with the disease. He also voiced confidence in his recovery, saying this form of cancer has a cure rate of over 80-percent. Dio lost their namesake frontman, Ronnie James Dio, to stomach cancer in May 2010.